Macbeth

Macbeth is a play made by William Shakespeare. It takes place in medieval Scotland.

Characters

Macbeth: Thane of Glamis

Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife

Banquo: Macbeth’s friend

Three Witches: three witches

Duncan: King of Scotland

Malcolm: Duncan’s son, heir to the throne

Guards: Duncan’s guards

Ross: Duncan’s messenger

Macduff: Thane of Fife

Part 1

King Duncan defeated the Thane of Cawdor, who turned traitor to Scotland and allied with Norway. Scotland won the battle. Three witches said Macbeth was the Thane of Glamis, which he actually was, and then as Thane of Cawdor, which he was not, and then the king hereafter. Duncan was currently the king. Macbeth was actually named Thane of Cawdor by Duncan. Lady Macbeth thought that because the witches correctly predicted Macbeth to be the Thane of Cawdor, that Macbeth would be king of Scotland, unlike his friend Banquo, who according to the witches would be the father of many kings, but would not be king. However, king Duncan said his son Malcolm would be the next king. Lady Macbeth planned to drug the drinks of Duncan’s guards and then kill the king, then put the bloody daggers back into the hands of the guards to make it look like the guards killed the king. Lady Macbeth and her husband killed the king. After the murder, Malcolm ran away to England.

Part 2

Macbeth, the new king, tried to kill Banquo and his son Fleance, fearing because of what the witches said, to protect Macbeth‘s title as the king. Despite killing Banquo, Fleance escaped. The three witches said Macbeth should beware Macduff, for Macbeth to be bloody, bold, and resolute (no one born of woman can kill Macbeth) and that Macbeth would also never be killed until trees walked to Macbeth’s castle. Macduff and Malcolm disguised themselves as trees and walked to Macbeth’s castle, then Macduff defeated Macbeth in the final battle, and Malcolm was named King of Scotland.